Apparatus for holding a portable electronic device with an integrated cable holder

Abstract

An apparatus for holding a portable electronic device and connecting the portable electronic device to an accessory includes a holding member includes a first connector, a second connector configured to releasably attach to the first connector, and an integrated cable holder configured to hold a cable that is adapted to connect to the portable electronic device.

1 . An apparatus for holding a portable electronic device and connecting the portable electronic device to an accessory, comprising: 
 a holding member including a first connector; and    a second connector configured to releasably attach to the first connector;    wherein the holding member or the second connector includes an integrated cable holder.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are generally cylindrical in shape.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second connector is insertable into the first connector.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first connector has an inner diameter and the second connector has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the first connector, and wherein the first connector includes at least one retaining member extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof an defining at least one slot therein, and the second connector includes at least one tab extending outwardly from an outer surface thereof, such that when the first connector and the second connector are in a first radial orientation, the tab is configured to fit into the slot and when the first connector and the second connector are in a second radial orientation, the tab is held in place against longitudinal motion by the retaining member.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first connector includes an integrated cable clip.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the cable holder comprises a cylinder having opposing ends and a pair of circumferential lips disposed at the opposing ends of the first connector such that a cable may be at least partially wrapped around the first connector between the pair of lips.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a holster portion connected to the second connector and configured to receive the portable electronic device.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second connector is configured to be attached directly to a portable electronic device.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector is insertable into the second connector.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the second connector includes a retractable cable.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cable holder includes an integrated retractable cable configured to connect to the portable electronic device.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the second connector has an inner diameter and the first connector has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the second connector, and wherein the second connector includes at least one retaining member extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof an defining at least one slot therein, and the first connector includes at least one tab extending outwardly from an outer surface thereof, such that when the first connector and the second connector are in a first radial orientation, the tab is configured to fit into the slot and when the first connector and the second connector are in a second radial orientation, the tab is held in place against longitudinal motion by the retaining member.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for holding a portable electronic device, comprising: 
 an armband including a generally cylindrical first connector having an inner diameter and an outer diameter and having opposing ends and a pair of circumferential lips disposed at the opposing ends of the first connector such that a cable may be at least partially wound around the first connector between the pair of lips; and    a holder configured to hold the portable electronic device, the holder including a generally cylindrical second connector having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first connector and configured to be insertable into the first connector and to releasably attach to the first connector.    wherein the first connector includes at least one retaining member extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof and the second connector includes at least one tab extending outwardly from an outer surface thereof that is configured to releasably engage the at least one retaining member.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first connector includes three retaining members extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof and arranged at spaced radial intervals to thereby define three spaces between the three retaining members, and the second connector includes three tabs extending outwardly from an outer surface thereof and arranged at spaced radial intervals such that the three tabs may pass within the three spaces between the three retaining when the second connector is inserted into the first connector.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the holder configured to hold the portable electronic device comprises a holster.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first connector includes an integrated retractable cable configured to connect to the portable electronic device.  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for holding a portable electronic device, comprising: 
 a holster portion configured to hold the portable electronic device, the holster portion including a generally cylindrical first connector having an inner diameter and an outer diameter and having opposing ends and a pair of circumferential lips disposed at the opposing ends of the first connector such that a cable may be at least partially wound around the first connector between the pair of lips; and    an armband including a generally cylindrical second connector having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first connector and configured to be insertable into the first connector and to releasably attach to the first connector;    wherein the first connector includes at least one retaining member extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof and the second connector includes at least one tab extending outwardly from an outer surface thereof that is configured to releasably engage the at least one retaining member.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first connector includes three retaining members extending inwardly from an inner surface thereof and arranged at spaced radial intervals to thereby define three spaces between the three retaining members, and the second connector includes three tabs extending outwardly from an outer surface thereof and arranged at spaced radial intervals such that the three tabs may pass within the three spaces between the three retaining members when the second connector is inserted into the first connector.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first connector includes an integrated retractable cable configured to connect to the portable electronic device.